A large contingent of the Bulpitt family attended the grand opening of the Richard Bulpitt Elementary school on Monday morning.
“Richard saw the best in everybody,” said his wife Valerie of her husband. He passed away while doing mission work with his wife in Vietnam in 2007.
While Bulpitt’s legacy lives on with the naming of the school, his son Corey has also left a visual legacy at the school too.
Corey Bulpitt created an Aboriginal mural depicting a bulldog in the school’s foyer.
“This would have pleased Richard, because Winston Churchill was one of his favourite people and Churchill was known as the British bulldog,” said Valerie.
The school’s sport teams will now be known as the Bulpitt Bulldogs.
D.W. Poppy Redhawk drummers honoured the school with two songs and students also performed songs for the celebrations.
Originally from England, Bulpitt served as the Langley’s superintendent of schools from May 1996 until March 2001, when he retired. Before that he worked as a teacher, principal and administrator in both Vancouver and Langley.
“Richard Bulpitt strongly believed in the power of education,” said principal Lucy Lenko.
The $13.4 million K-5 school has 510 students, features a Neighbourhood Learning Centre which provides preschool and daycare.
The Township is building a playing field on five acres beside the school. That field is expected to be ready by next spring.
The design of the school is identical to Lynn Fripps Elementary, which opened in September, 2012.
The middle school in Willoughby will open in September, 2014.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender was also on hand for the opening of the new school.
